Toothpaste as deterrant for cats??

[NicoleK]

One of our cats has strarted scratching on our closed office door incessantly. Even if we aren't in there, he's trying to get in. If we try to ignore him, he'll keep doing it for hours. He gets to go in there at night, but we don't let them in during the day for safety reasons because we have turtle tanks in there with heat lamps on. The problem is that when we are in there and working during the day, its very sad and distracting to hear him scratching and crying for long periods of time. He has also torn up all the carpet around the door, which isn't that big of a deal, but we don't want this behavior to continue. We have been trying to figure out what we might do to stop this when we remembered how much they hate the smell of toothpaste. We were thinking about smearing a toothpaste and water paste all over the door to deter him from scratching. Could this hurt him in any way or is there anything in toothpaste that is toxic, like mint? I know mint plants are toxic if ingested, but our toothpaste doesn't actually say it contains mint, although it does smell minty??
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[Traci]

I don't think the toothpaste is going to help the situation (you could try placing aluminum foil in front of the door for a deterrant)....since he has a clear interest in being where you're at, instead I would suggest diverting his attention elsewhere. Not sure how, as I don't know your kitty, but try using catnip...spend some time playing with him prior to working, this might encourage nap time for him. Open the shades of a favorite window for him to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine...take time-outs of your day to spend time with him, he is asking for your attention.

On another note, if you haven't ever allowed him to actually see the turtles, perhaps at least letting him see what's in that room will help curb the curiosity (supervised of course)

[MA]

On my toothpaste tube if you read it, it says harmful if swallowed- go figure! But I wouldn't risk it on your cat. Use bubble wrap, hang up balloons and direct a low fan flow towards the balloons to make them move and startle kitty away from the area-

[Traci]

Ah, another ingenious idea by MA!

[NicoleK]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm going to try the aluminum foil first, it sounds like a good idea. If it doesn't work, I'll go for the balloon idea - never would have thought of that - very creative, I love it! It's funny that you mentioned tiring him out before going in to work because we've tried doing that and then sneaking into the room really quietly once he's asleep... He must have bionic hearing cause 30 seconds later, there he is scratching at the door. Also, he has seen the turtles, in fact he absolutely LOVES them. We have three 90 gallon aquatic tanks with heavy duty screen covers so he and our other three cats love rolling around, playing and sleeping on top of the tanks. I know for sure that its not because he's not getting enough attention. My husband and I spend a good amount of time playing with them and giving them lots of affection every day. Our cats are our children and I think that might be part of the problem, they're kinda spoiled. Whenever we go somewhere in the house they follow us, if we go into another room they'll come and see what we're doing. I think thats why he gets so upset when one or both of us (and the turtles) are in there and he can't get in. Hopefully one of these ideas will work, Thanks again!!

[Kendra]

I have this same problem with one of my cats. I tried the tin foil and he shredded it in minutes.. I thought cats HATED tin foil!
Im going to try the bubble wrap.
Thanks for the ideas!
Kendra

[Tina B and crew]

I'd be afraid they would pop the balloons and then eat the latex myself! Isn't that a concern? Some cats are deterred by foil, others hardly notice it....and some of my cats will walk right across bubble wrap with nary a though...*sigh*

Why is it there is rarely an easy solution when it comes to cats!